ECU sees bright future

Despite bowl loss, Pirates take positive steps in 9-5 season

MEMPHIS -- In the darkness of Friday night's 25-19 Liberty Bowl loss to Kentucky, East Carolina's Nick Johnson could see a brighter day.

"We are looking to win more games than we did this year, take the next step,'' said the Pirates' linebacker, holding his ECU defensive-player-of-the-game trophy after a 13-tackle performance.

Johnson and the Pirates didn't make reservations for next year's Liberty Bowl before leaving town, but the possibility of returning as Conference USA champs looks promising.

Outside the league, there will be another colossal challenge -- or opportunity -- to gain national attention. ECU has home games against Appalachian State and Virginia Tech and road trips to North Carolina and West Virginia.

The Pirates, as coach Skip Holtz has said, belong on the big stage. And they've got a bevy of players coming back who have been there.

While losing several prominent seniors -- such as linebacker Pierre Bell and receiver Davon Drew -- the majority of regulars from this 9-5 team are back.

Sixteen underclassmen started against Kentucky and several more are returning, including first-team caliber players like wideout Dwayne Harris who were sidelined with injuries.

The biggest question swirls around senior quarterback Patrick Pinkney, who has applied to the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. He underwent several shoulder surgeries early in his career and didn't play in any games in 2005 or 2006.

If Pinkney receives a favorable ruling, the Pirates would be set again with a mobile, front-line quarterback and an experienced pocket-passing backup, junior Rob Kass. Talented freshman Josh Jordan, described as a cross between Pinkney and Kass, is waiting in the wings.

The entire first-unit offensive line -- including All-Conference center Sean Allen -- also remains intact. Norman Whitley and J.R. Rogers are capable running backs with burst. And receivers Harris, Alex Taylor, Darryl Freeney and Joe Womack have experience and play-making skills.

ECU's league-leading defense should be as good or better with 10 starters or part time starters back, including all-league safety Van Eskridge and end C.J. Wilson, The Sporting News' Conference USA defensive player of the year.

Coordinator Greg Hudson figures some intangibles could be missing with the departure of team leaders like Bell and Zach Slate.

But he says Johnson has become more vocal and likes Eskridge's "demanding personality."

"Those are two excellent leaders, and C.J. Wilson and Jay Ross can clear their throat and people will listen,'' Hudson said.

The kicking game should be in trusty hands, er feet, as well with the return of place-kicker Ben Hartman and punter Matt Dodge, who set a Liberty Bowl record for punting average (47.8).

Not that all the seniors won't be missed. They formed the nucleus on which Holtz rebuilt a fledgling program.

Players like Bell, Slate, Drew, running back Brandon Simmons, and safeties J.J. Millbrook and Leon Best contributed to 24 wins and three bowl trips in the past three years, plus helping create a different mind-set.

"The senior class [has] made this season a steppingstone for the program," Drew said. "I know this team is going in a positive direction. ... I'm excited to see what this team can do next year."

Holtz recently noted that many people thought East Carolina had reached its pinnacle by winning C-USA. The coach disagrees, saying the Pirates can achieve more.

One goal is to reach BCS Bowl status, which means beating opponents like Virginia Tech, UNC and West Virginia. Whatever, a fourth straight bowl trip next season appears likely.